Descriptions

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of MMPI scores that were estimated from CPI data. This was later expanded to encompass whether generally low California Psychological Inventory (CPI) t-scores below 25 were predictors of elevated actual Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles. The sample consisted of 120 alcoholic inpatients at a residential alcohol treatment center during the years of 1986 and 1987. Patients completed the MMPI and CPI within the first
week after admission. Nine hypotheses were tested and three provided positive results.
The hypothesis regarding the relationship between the MMPI and the CPI proved there is a relationship and new regression coefficients were calculated. The second finding was that MMPI scores could be
estimated accurately from CPI data for alcoholics and that the estimated scores were not significantly different than actual MMPI scores. However, these scores were not exact enough to use for individual diagnoses. Finally, this study found that low CPI profiles with any t-scores below the cutoff score of 25 correlated with the presence of major psychopathology and actual MMPI profiles were elevated. Recommendations were that patients in residential alcohol
treatment centers complete the CPI within, the first week after admission. The CPI results could be used in treatment planning and to determine those individuals that should complete an MMPI later in the program for additional treatment planning and diagnostic interpretation. It was concluded that additional research is needed to determine if these findings apply to the Revised CPI and the anticipated revision of the MMPI.